Britannica
Sources used in this answer
What is Kim about?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Rudyard Kipling
Rudyard Kipling.
Published in 1901, Kim is the final and most famous novel by Rudyard Kipling. The story follows the adventures of an Irish orphan living in India who becomes a disciple of a Tibetan monk while simultaneously training in espionage for the British secret service.12
The novel is celebrated for its vivid and nostalgic portrayal of Indian culture, particularly the diverse life found on its streets. Additionally, the book is significant for popularizing the term "Great Game," which refers to the 19th-century geopolitical rivalry between Britain and Russia in Central Asia.13